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OPINION

The United States lags far behind in descriptive representation. Our Congress has never remotely reflected the demographics of the U.S. In fact, the U.S. is ranked 104th in the world for women in national parliaments, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union. This is embarrassingly low, especially considering our democracy was one of the first. We should be electing a number of women that is proportional to the population.

Early last week, the University of Minnesota recently pulled out of — and then entered back into — the Conservation Improvement Program (CIP), a statewide energy efficiency program. While the program is effective for the University campus, it’s alarming that the University considered not continuing with the program in the first place.

Not every kid is umbilically and emotionally attached to their cell phone, and not every parent makes a habit out of scrolling mindlessly through an iPhone through a toddler’s tantrum. But there is enough to make this into a general developmental concern.

The Minnesota Daily reported in October that the University of Minnesota graduation rates for African American students are relatively low compared to other populations of the student body. From 2013 to 2016, only 58.1 percent of African American students had graduated within six years. These statistics were pulled from the University of Southern California’s Race and Equity Center, which gave the university an "F" grade in how equitable our campus is for minorities.

The confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers at Fort Snelling is visually striking. By the time the Minnesota River reaches the Mississippi, it has become an impenetrable green. The northwoods-turned-urban Mississippi River that you would never dare to swim in looks almost clean next to the Minnesota.

TikTok is a Vine-adjacent video platform that allows users to film themselves lip-syncing to songs in short, 15-second clips, which can be shared with other users. Although the app launched in 2016, it only came into its heyday after TikTok’s parent company, the Beijing-based Bytedance, acquired Musical.ly, another app that allowed users to share lip-sync videos. However, along with the merger came Musical.ly’s largely female, U.S.-based teenage user base.

The importance of voting in the midterms has been shoved down everyone’s throats since early August. Yet I’m not sure the importance of this civic duty is fully understood. And so, here I go, adding to the masses of people telling you that you are fumbling idiot if you do not vote in these elections.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northern Minnesota is one of the last untouched natural beauties in the world. The BWCA is the premier destination for people to get away from the concrete jungle that is modern civilization.

This week, gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson confirmed what he has been trying to hide about his plans for women’s health. He pledged to sign a bill to “defund” Planned Parenthood if he becomes Minnesota’s next governor. Minnesotans should understand the implications of this position before they vote.

The United States political climate continues to remain as polarized as ever. Fortunately, this rough political climate also continues to promote civic engagement in Americans who, until this point, hadn’t even thought about casting a ballot, let alone voting early, casting an absentee ballot or physically engaging with organizers.

Over the past several weeks, the four members of the Minnesota Daily's Editorial Board have interviewed six candidates for state and federal offices. We selected candidates to interview based on polling from several sources, choosing only the top two candidates. Candidates in third-place were not interviewed for endorsements because none were in viable positions that pointed to them being elected.

This year, many of the main campaign issues reflect those of past elections. Housing and living expenses continue to rise in the Twin Cities and in greater Minnesota. Although many solutions may specifically focus on housing itself, there are many factors, like financial burdens, that play into the issue. Factors regarding child care, public transportation, policing and immigration all need to be addressed in order to make Minnesota a more affordable and welcoming place.

Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District is one of the major urban-centered districts in Minnesota, spanning eastern Hennepin County and parts of Anoka and Ramsey counties. This year, the District’s decade-long representative, Keith Ellison, decided to seek election as Minnesota’s Attorney General. This leaves the door open for challengers across the board.

House District 60B is experiencing change this election cycle, as the first Somali-American legislator Rep. Ilhan Omar, DFL-Minneapolis, has vacated the seat for a chance to represent Minnesota in Congress. This leaves the door open for multiple candidates who, if elected, will be representing over 35,000 residents on the University of Minnesota campus and Augsburg University, as well as the surrounding communities of Cedar-Riverside, Southeast Como and Marcy Holmes.

During this difficult time, let us take courage from the age-old Jewish adage: “a little bit of light will dispel a great deal of darkness.” It is an indisputable reality. When light and goodness encounter darkness and hate, light and goodness will — without fail — prevail. Let's each dedicate our lives a little more to goodness and kindness, as well as to true and boundless love of our fellow. Take on one additional mitzvah (good deed), so each and every one of us, in our own way, creates a personal space of love and holiness.

Voting is crucial for a healthy democracy. But, just as importantly, the civic energy we feel must not end at the polling station. The politicians we elect on Tuesday will disappoint us — they always do — but with the institutions and social movements fueled by our newfound civic energy, we can keep them accountable.

Since Apple rolled out the first one-button cellphone, screens have been an especially touchy subject. And the more commonplace they’ve become, the more influential they are, because we’re head-over-heels for highly invasive tracking devices that log our every step. No hyperbole.

As midterm season rapidly approaches, it’s important to efficiently and effectively prepare for exams and practice self-care. Tackling midterms is easier with the right support, and this is your reminder to seek help when it is needed.The University of Minnesota offers tools and resources to help you both academically and mentally. Here are some of the most useful resources on campus.

In the uncertain times of the Trump Presidency, there is only one truth: the American people want a third party. In 2016, no presidential candidate received a clear electoral victory in Minnesota; Hillary Clinton won the state with only 46 percent of the vote.

In the midst of a particularly contentious midterm season, candidates are desperately latching on to national taglines and party politics. Instead of discussing relevant, local issues, candidates continue pushing partisanship agendas by fixing on polarizing issues like health care and support — or lack thereof — for the President.